Lately, Lord Rein had been acting strangely.
Whenever I finished my training and returned to the manor, I often crossed paths with Lord Rein just as he was emerging from the annex, as if timed to perfection. It was always at that specific moment—just as he finished Lina’s treatment.
Lord Rein’s face was always paper-pale. His lips were bloodless, and his gait was unsteady. There were days when he could barely remain standing by leaning a hand against the wall.
I would rush to his side to support his slight frame. When I lent him my shoulder, I could feel how light he was even through his clothing. It felt as though his already delicate body was wasting away by the day—and that terrified me.
"...Mira. Thank you. I’m fine."
Lord Rein’s voice was raspy as he spoke with a weak smile. Who could possibly believe a "fine" like that?
Lord Rein had explained it this way:
Now that he had developed a new treatment method, he could finally help Lina. However, the spell consumed an extraordinary amount of mana, and he ended up exhausting his reserves every time. That was why his complexion was so poor, he said. He told me there was no need to worry.
I had heard that Lord Rein’s mana capacity was beyond all reason. If he was truly using every last drop of it, then it stood to reason that he would be exhausted.
—To be honest, if it was going to ruin Lord Rein’s health, I wanted him to stop the treatment immediately...
But Lord Rein had looked so happy when he said he could save Lina. It was an expression I had only seen before he was kidnapped. Seeing that look, the words died in my throat, and I could say nothing.
The only thing I could do was support Lord Rein and help him to his room. It was agonizingly frustrating.
◇◇◇
One day, I was summoned to Lord Wilhelm’s office.
The Lord of the House was not alone. Lady Roswitha sat by his side, while Lord Klaus stood in attendance near the wall, as silent as a shadow.
Lord Wilhelm offered me a chair. I nearly refused out of humility, but Lady Roswitha’s quiet gaze prompted me to take a seat.
The topic of discussion was obvious. It was about Lord Rein. I began my report.
"According to Lord Rein, the treatment appears to be progressing smoothly."
Lord Klaus turned his gaze toward me.
"He did mention he might be able to cure her, but I am surprised he has actually succeeded. By what method?"
"Apparently, by utilizing his immense mana capacity and control skills, he performs Recovery Magic with such precision that he can replicate the magic of the Saint. Truthfully, I have never seen it in person. Since Lina’s burns cover her entire body, her raw skin is exposed during the procedure. To ensure the girl does not have to feel the shame of being seen, Lord Rein allows no one into the annex while he works."
"I have heard of Lord Rein’s magical talent from Berta, but to think it is enough to reproduce the miracles of the Saint. Perhaps the six months he spent under the Saint's care have had an influence as well."
Lord Klaus paused for a moment.
"...Wait. You said he is reproducing the Saint’s magic?"
"Yes."
"Then—does that mean the treatment is forcing Lina to endure the same agony as the Saint’s magic did?"
"...Before beginning the treatment, Lord Rein asked me to prepare leather straps and a biting gag in the annex, just like the ones the Saint used. Most likely..."
Lord Wilhelm muttered in a low voice.
"Healing her may simply require that... but perhaps it isn't just a concern about exposing Lina’s skin; he might not want anyone to see him as the one causing her such pain."
Lady Roswitha, appearing concerned about Rein’s mental burden, asked about his general state.
"Mira. You are the one who sees him most closely. Is the boy alright?"
"He is eating more than before, and he is sleeping well at night. Although his health seems poor immediately following the sessions, he does not seem gloomy or mentally distressed. Rather, I feel as though he is quite motivated. Since his condition improves by the evening, it seems he will be fine as long as it is merely a matter of mana. However, he truly does look pained right after the treatment..."
"I see... As long as he continues this, traveling or going out will be difficult for him."
"Speaking of which, about the Academy."
Lord Wilhelm spoke up as if remembering something in response to her comment.
"Normally, he would be at the age to begin attending a Regional Academy by now. But—in his current state, that would be cruel."
"I believe there is no need to worry about his academic performance," Lord Klaus added. "Lady Heide mentioned that his classroom learning is already beyond reproach."
"Yes, I’ve heard as much from Heide. I suspected it in the past, but Rein seems to be exceptionally brilliant, even for a noble. Enrollment in the Academy can happen at any time. It is common for admissions to be delayed, and compared to the feat of replicating the Saint’s healing, it is a trivial matter. We shall postpone his schooling until the treatment is finished. There is no need to rush him into the public eye and force him to overexert himself."
"Given Rein’s health, it might be best to suspend Lady Katia’s visits until the treatment is complete as well," Lady Roswitha suggested. "We can’t have a noble boy and girl meeting late into the evening."
"Indeed," I added. "On the days he attended to Lady Katia in the early afternoon, Lord Rein seemed to be in considerable pain."
"Could he not be persuaded to rest from the treatment on the days Lady Katia visits?" Lord Klaus asked.
I could only shake my head.
"...I did suggest that to him indirectly. I asked if he would at least rest when Lady Katia was here. But—Lord Rein said he wanted to heal Lina even one day sooner and refused to listen. He will not yield on the matter of going to that annex, no matter what happens."
"I will tell Rein to refrain from meetings for a while," Roswitha said. "I feel bad for Lady Katia, but perhaps it would be interesting if they began a correspondence by letter instead."
I felt sorry for Lady Katia, but I was profoundly grateful to be the one who could always be there to support Lord Rein.
No matter what happens to him from now on—no matter what state he ends up in, or who leaves his side—I alone will never leave him. I will remain by his side, supporting him forever.
Before I knew it, a smile had touched my lips. With a heart full of calm, I swore that vow.